Herne Hill Harriers men’s team won the London Cross Country Championship at a sunny and benign under foot Parliament Hill Fields in North London, finally claiming gold after a number of near misses in recent years when we have taken home the minor medals.
Chris Busaileh shrugged off breathing problems caused by the effects of a recent chesty cold to lead the team home in 6th place. Super vet Brian Wilder followed his great Surrey League 2nd place by finishing close behind Chris in 8th, winning the M40 gold medal into the bargain. Our victorious team was closed by Ben Paviour and Mike Cummings, while Sarwar Khan also secured a top 20 position and in the women’s race the HHH team was led home by Karen Ellison in 10th, backed up well by Sue Swaine and under 20 Julia Wedmore.
The London Youth Games cross country championships were held at the same venue earlier in the day, with youngsters representing their London borough teams. Paul Burgess won the under 13 boy’s race to top the podium, while two HHH athletes were in the medals in the under 13 girl’s race as Breagha Campbell placed 2nd and Saskia Millard was 3rd. Breagha, Saskia and new HHH member Kate Brown formed the winning Wandsworth team in the U13 girl’s race, while the winning Lambeth U15 boys team was Sakeriye Abdirahman, Lascelles Hussey and Fraser Cunningham, all of whom are from HHH on what was an excellent day for the club.